Aunt Lanette's Pistachio Dream Dessert (Family)

Luscious Layers of Pistachio Dream Dessert

Ingredients:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
¾ cup butter, melted
1 cup chopped pistachios (or almonds)
8 ounces cream cheese,softened
2 cups heavy cream,whipped with 3 tablespoons sugar (and 1 packet “Whip It”, optional) or 1 large container whipped topping
1 cup sugar
2 ½ cups milk
2 small boxes instant pistachio pudding mix
½ cup chopped pistachios (or almonds)

Method:

Preheat oven to 350*. To make base crust, combine graham cracker crumbs, butter and 1 cup nuts. Press into a 9 x 13 pan. Bake 15 - 20 minutes and cool completely.
For filling: mix 1 ½ cups whipped cream, cream cheese and sugar. Spread on cooled crust. With an electric mixer, beat instant pudding and milk for 2 minutes. When pudding starts to thicken spread on top of cream cheese mixture. Carefully spread remainder of whipped cream on top of pudding layer. Sprinkle ½ cup of chopped nuts on top of whipped cream and chill very well. (Two hours or more.) Cut into squares and serve. Makes approximately 15 squares.

Notes: This is a simple and delicious dessert to serve at Chrisstmas or on Saint Patrick's Day.

“Whip It” is a Dr.Oetker flavorless product that “stabilizes” whipped cream, helping it keep its form. It is not essential, but I like to add it every time I make whipped cream. (It usually can be purchased is at Cost Plus World Market or specialty stores that carry German foods.)
This recipe was successful when I substituted canned evaporated milk, reconstituted with water, but the pudding did not set when I substituted almond milk for the regular milk.

Makes perfect whipped cream.